The entrepreneurial journey involves growth and change. As your business passes milestones, entrepreneurs must adapt their leadership style. In a recent lecture, I explored the progression through four key phases entrepreneurs undergo.

Phase one is the 'Muscle and Feel' stage,

where the entrepreneur wears every hat. They are accountant, marketer and operations manager rolled into one. The business relies entirely on their energy and intuition. But this lone wolf approach can only take you so far.

Phase two is about 'Managing to What Good Looks Like'.

The entrepreneur feels able to relinquish some control to trusted individuals. There is a common vision measured through KPIs, though teams still operate in silos. Progress requires the founder to let go of the reins a little.

In phase three, the focus shifts to 'Building Teams and Strategy'.

Cross-functional teams align to an overarching strategic plan. Success becomes about the organisation as a whole rather than any one individual. This is the stage when a sustainable company starts to emerge.

Finally, phase four centres on 'Leading Toward Legacy'.

The entrepreneur plans for succession, handing over control - whether to a family member, employees or a new owner. Your legacy is embodied in an organisation that can thrive without them.

As your business evolves, consider which phase of the journey you are in. What is the next step for you to take as a leader? Our digital catalyst service can help you align your people, process and technology on the path ahead.

Collaboration Tools Are GREAT. But Are They A Security Risk?

Who doesn’t love the convenience of workplace collaboration tools and messaging apps like Google Spaces, Slack, Teams, and Zoom?

We can chat with colleagues, share files, hold meetings, and even discuss sensitive topics without leaving our comfy home offices.

It’s all sunshine and rainbows… until cyber attackers decide to rain on your parade.

You see, whilst these platforms have become a blessing for productivity, they’ve also opened a Pandora’s box of cyber security risks.

Did you know that Slack, despite using encryption, does not feature end-to-end encryption? It’s believed this is so clients can maintain visibility into their company’s communications. Or if you use WhatsApp for your business, it has been exploited in a variety of social engineering attacks? And let’s not forget Telegram, which has become a prime target for cyber attackers.

This has given birth to a new attack category –

Business Communication Compromise (BCC), a sinister cousin of the more familiar Business Email Compromise (BEC). 82% of data breaches involve the human element, according to a 2022 Data Breach Investigation Report. An innocent click on a phishing email, and your communication platforms become a playground for cyber attackers.

Here’s how you can stay safe.

Enforce strict access controls, so only people who are supposed to get into your platform, can do so. Something simple like multi-factor authentication can be a powerful deterrent

Implement data loss prevention measures. Use a system with encryption and make sure lost or stolen devices can be remotely wiped

And train your team how to protect sensitive information

Call Us Today

THE HACK PODCAST

Pioneering Change in the Tech Industry- Furqan Alamgir: Founder and CEO of homegrown technology firm Connexin.

In this episode of the Hack podcast, Leon, Paul, and Dean engage in an insightful conversation with Furqan Alamgir, Chief Executive Officer at Connexin.

Furqan shares his journey as an entrepreneur and how he grew Connexin into one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the UK. He also discusses the challenges he faced along the way and how he overcame them to achieve success.

One of the key topics discussed in this episode is the importance of collaboration and connectivity in today's digital age. Furqan highlights how Connexin plays a crucial role in providing connectivity solutions to businesses, cities, and communities. He also talks about their innovative approach to smart infrastructure and its potential to transform how we live and work.

They also explore people, processes, and technology as the three fundamental elements of a prosperous enterprise. Furqan highlights the significance of passion and curiosity as crucial factors for success. Tune in to hear Furqan Alamgir's story and learn more about the future of connectivity. Keep an eye out for Connexin as it continues to expand and revolutionise the technology industry.

Read the full Blog Here!

Listen on Spotify

NEW TO MICROSOFT 365

Coming soon: Faster backup for Microsoft SharePoint, OneDrive and

Exchange Microsoft 365 Backup is said to be a powerful data recovery service, and it’s coming soon. It’s designed to speedily restore your OneDrive, SharePoint, and Exchange data if you’ve suffered a breach. It even allows you to restore data within set date ranges.

A public preview is expected later this year. If it gets a positive reaction, we’ll be expecting a full rollout next year.

NEW TO GOOGLE WORKSPACE

Send emails with max 10 GB attachment files

You probably already saw on Gmail that you can only share files with a max of 25 MBs. That’s what you thought until now. We have a way around it: upload your files to Google Drive and insert the file into your email by clicking the button Insert files using drive button, which is at the bottom of your email. This will allow you to send messages with a maximum of 10 GB attachments.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“There’s no shortage of remarkable ideas, what’s missing is the will to execute them.”

Seth Godin, Writer and business genius

TECH FACTS

The first ever webcam was deployed at Cambridge University, UK, in 1991. It was designed to monitor a coffee pot after scientists were fed up finding it empty.

The first computer to be marketed as a laptop was the Gavilan SC in May 1983. It was priced at $4,000 (£3,096), weighed 9 pounds (4 kg), and was powered by a 5 MHz Intel 8088 chip. Oh, it also ran MS-DOS. Things weren’t always better in the past.

The biggest tech acquisition in history was not, as you might think, Elon Musk’s multi-billion dollar takeover of Twitter (now called X) in 2022. The record sits with Dell’s 2015 acquisition of enterprise storage company EMC for $67 billion in cash and stock.

Tech Update

OpenAI is rolling out a new feature called Custom Instructions, for ChatGPT Plus subscribers. Through two prompts, you can tell ChatGPT about your specific requirements and preferred response format. Whether you’re marketing to prospects, or educating

clients, this innovative feature caters to your unique needs.

THINK MENTAL HEALTH - BLACK TIE BALL

Think Mental Health Black Tie Ball 2023 proved to be an extraordinary evening that will be remembered for years to come. Thanks to the dedication of event hosts Leon and Paul, along with the impactful presence of Luke Ambler as the guest speaker, Entertainment from The Shine and ending the evening with DJ Ben Rainey.

This event successfully shed light on the significance of mental health awareness and the importance of organisations like Andy’s Man Club. Let us carry forward the spirit of this event, championing mental health support in our daily lives and working towards creating a society where everyone feels understood and supported in their journey towards well-being.

Think Cloud was honoured to sponsor the prestigious evening awards, recognising outstanding achievements in various industries. We applaud the following remarkable companies for their exceptional work:

Above & Beyond: Congratulations to Lambson Building Products and Laminated Products for going above and beyond in their respective fields.

Hull and Humber: We commend Willerby for their contributions to the Hull and Humber region.

Innovative: Kudos to Reckitt for their innovative approaches and groundbreaking solutions.

Global: A round of applause for Smith + Nephew, exemplifying excellence on a global scale

At Think Cloud, we believe in supporting and celebrating organisations that drive progress and inspire innovation. We are proud to be part of an event that recognises these exceptional companies. Together, let's continue pushing boundaries and shaping a brighter future.

Using ChatGPT or Google Bard

Prompt Tutorial: Using ChatGPT or Google Bard

Act as a Deliberate

Deliberate Learning Practice Prompt

"Design a deliberate practice routine for my computer skills, focusing on my weaknesses and providing regular feedback for improvement."

FUN TECH QUIZ

ANOTHER MONTH MEANS ANOTHER FUN TECH QUIZ!

HERE’S YOUR QUIZ FOR OCTOBER

Before becoming widely recognised as the main character of Super Mario Bros, what was Mario called?

What does Yahoo stand for?

What is the keyboard shortcut to directly open the Windows Task Manager?

What does the term “Vaporware” mean?

1024 Gigabytes is equal to 1 Terabyte; 1024 Terabytes is equal to 1 Petabyte. How many Gigabytes are in a Petabyte?

Answers at bottom of page.

Is AI really for you, or are you jumping on the bandwagon?

Do you ever find yourself asking, “What is all this hype about AI?”

If so, you’re not alone.

The buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to revolutionise every aspect of our lives is inescapable. But how can you navigate through the noise and truly harness the power of AI to meet your business’s big goals?

It’s a question that keeps many business leaders awake at night. Imagine being able to predict market trends before they happen, or to

streamline your operations with almost exact precision. This isn’t some far-off dream; it’s the promise of generative AI.

But there’s a lot of speculation around AI. Right now, it’s uncertain, so… should you simply wait and see what happens?

Of course not!

In fact, now is exactly the time to start exploring generative AI. Sitting back isn’t an option when your rivals could be leveraging this technology to gain a competitive edge. Yes, there’s a lot to learn and understand, but isn’t that part of the thrill of doing business in the 21st century?

But one thing to keep in mind amidst the excitement, is not to lose sight of your core aims, goals, and cultures.

What good is a new AI system if it doesn’t align with the way your business behaves?

Whilst the world of AI may seem like uncharted territory, some classic rules still apply. Will you implement it? Will it generate revenue? Can it reduce your costs? Will it boost productivity?

If not, perhaps it’s not the right move for your business right now.

So, while the hype around AI is deafening, and the path ahead Is not clear at all, the potential rewards are too great to ignore.

BUSINESS GADGET OF THE MONTH

Sony noise-cancelling headphones

Whether you’re working in the office or in a café, sometimes that ambient noise gets a little too ambient, doesn’t it?

That’s where these Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones can become your new best friend. They block out all the sounds around you, leaving you to focus on your work in peace and quiet or on your favourite soundtrack without any outside interference.

£223 from Amazon.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

QUESTION

How can I tell if my email has been hacked?

ANSWER

The most obvious sign is if you can’t login. But it’s not always that simple. If you suspect something’s off, check your sent items and login activity for anything that wasn’t you. We can help if you’re worried.

QUESTION

Should I allow BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) in my business?

ANSWER

If managed correctly, it can be an excellent option for some. However, it does pose a serious security risk if you don’t regulate it correctly. Our advice? Seek expert help to get it set up.

QUESTION

Does my business need cyber insurance?

ANSWER

If you store or send data, it’s a good idea. Every business is vulnerable to an attack or an employee error which puts you at financial risk so that insurance may remove some of the financial burden in such a situation.